Boot or shoe tree or last.



A. P. H. BROZUKAT. BOOT 0R SHOE TREE 0R LAST.

APPLICATION 11.21) mac. 6, 1913.

Patented June 2, 1914.

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ANNA PAULA HELENE BROZUKA'I, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

BOOT OR SHOE TREE OR LAST.

incense.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANNA PAULA HELENE Buozunar, spinster, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at 97 Tottenham Court road, London, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Boot or vShoe Trees or Lasts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in boot or shoetrees or lasts comprising three portions, namely a forepart, a rear-part, and a key or wedge-shaped part interposed between said parts, and has for its object to provide means for securing said members in operative position.

In the accompanying drawing which illus' trates o-n-e construction of a boot-tree according to the present invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the rear-part, Fig. 2 is a central sectional view showing the three parts in operative position, 3 is a sectional plan on the line Y, Z, of ll 2 and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate details of the locking device.

Referring tothe drawings, A designates the rear-part, B the central wedge-shaped part, and C the fore-part. The front and rear faces of the rearand fore-parts respectively are formed each with an inclined groove e or c and immediately above each groove a striking plate (Z is let into the faces of the foreand rear-parts, such plates being secured by means of countersunk screws or the like. On each side of the central key or wedge-shaped portion C there is provided a finger plate 6 having a projection c adapted, when the parts are in operative position, to take into the grooves a or 0 These plates 6 are secured at their lower ends by countersunk screws in suitable recesses 6 formed in the wedge-shaped member, said recesses being widened as to their upper portions to allow of the plates being pressed together. To facilitate the pressing together of the plates, the latter project beyond the body portion of the last; their upper ends being suitably provided with knobs e or the like.

Between the two plates 0 and in the center or wedge-shaped portion B is formed a hole 6 wherein a spiral spring f is arranged in such a manner as to exert pressure on both the plates 6 so as to hold the same in operative position. If desired, however, the spiral spring can be dispensed with and the plates 0 formed as springs themselves.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. December 6, 1913.

Patented June 2, 1914.

Serial No. 805,012.

The central or wedge-shaped portion of the tree or last may be formed with a handle 9 so that the tree can be readily carried, or if desired a swivel-ring may be substituted for the handle.

In using the improved boot-tree or last, the foreand rear-parts A and G are inserted in the boot or shoe and the center or wedgeshaped portion B is pressed between the foreand rear-parts. When the projections c are opposite the grooves a and 0 the spring f forces the same therein so that they engage the undersides of the striking plates (Z and lock the various parts in position. The boot or shoe can then be safely carried without fear of the center or wedge-shaped portion being withdrawn. l i hen it is required to remove the boot-tree or last, it is only necessary to press the plates 0 together and to exert a slight pull on the center or wedge-shaped portion.

1 claim 1. A boot or shoe tree comprising a fore part and a rear part, there being grooves in the adjacent faces of said parts, a striking plate arranged in each groove, an intermediate wedge-shaped part, a spring actuated finger plate on each side of said wedgeshapcd part, and a projection on each finger plate arranged to engage into said grooves when the wedge-shaped part is being inserted between the fore and rear parts, substantially as described.

2. A boot or shoe tree comprising a fore part and a rear part, there being grooves in the adjacent faces of each of said parts, a striking plate arranged in each groove, an intermediate wedgeshaped part formed with a recess on each side adjacent to each of said grooves and formed with a hole connecting said recesses, a finger plate arranged in each recess and projecting above the tree body, a projection arranged on each finger plate. and a spiral spring arranged in said hole and pressingsaid finger plates apart, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANNA PAULA HELENE BROZUKAT.

Witnesses:

HUGH SWEENEY, THOMAS G. LEGUE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

